Motion sensitive input control

ABSTRACT

A motion sensitive input control configured to prevent unintended input caused by inadvertent movement of a computing device. In one embodiment, unintended input can be prevented by disregarding an input event if a change in motion of the computing device is detected simultaneously with or immediately prior to the detected input event. In another embodiment, unintended input can be prevented by reducing the sensitivity of an input device during a motion-based state associated with the computing device. In this manner, the likelihood of inadvertent motion of a computing device causing an unintended input event can be reduced.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This relates generally to input devices, and more particularly, topreventing unintended input caused by inadvertent movement of acomputing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Many types of input devices are presently available for performingoperations in a computing system, such as buttons or keys, mice,trackballs, joysticks, touch sensor panels, touch screens and the like.Touch sensitive input devices generally recognize input events when auser touches a touch sensitive surface. Touch sensitive input devicesusing capacitive touch technology can detect an input event withvirtually no force, while other touch sensing technologies (e.g.,resistive touch technology) require a somewhat greater amount of force.In contrast, mechanical input devices, such as push buttons for example,generally do not recognize input events unless a user taps or pressesthe mechanical input device with an amount of force great enough toactuate a switch through mechanical motion. This amount of force isgenerally greater than the amount of force that would triggerrecognition of an input event on a capacitive or resistive touchsensitive surface.

These varieties of input devices exist for performing operations incomputing devices, such as desktops, laptops, media players, remotecontrols, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones, etc. Auser can cause an operation to be performed in computing device byapplying an input event to an input device. In one example, a user canmove a cursor displayed on a display screen of the computing device bytouching an input device in a particular manner. In another example, auser can select an item displayed on the display screen by tapping aninput device in a particular location.

With input devices that provide touch sensitive surfaces, various sensorelements can be provided relative to a surface of a computing device,and an input event can be detected by sensing a change in some measure,such as capacitance for example, that is associated with the sensorelements and that exceeds a particular threshold level. If the thresholdlevel is set too low, the touch sensitive surface can become toosensitive, allowing unintended actions (e.g., setting the touchsensitive surface on a table) or effects (e.g., noise) to be detected asan input. If the threshold level is set too high, the touch sensitivesurface can become too insensitive, allowing intended input actions(e.g., a light touching of the surface) to go undetected.

Accordingly, determining a proper threshold level for a touch sensitivedevice can provide unique challenges.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A motion sensitive input control is disclosed that can preventunintended input caused by inadvertent movement of a computing device.For example, if a user operates a computing device on publictransportation and the user's finger hovers over an input area of thecomputing device during a bump in the ride, the bump can cause thefinger to inadvertently tap the input area. If the computing device isconfigured to implement a click action when a tap input event isdetected on the input area, the inadvertent tap can result in anunintentional click in the user interface of the computing device. Thiscan lead to undesirable user interface behavior, such as the deletion orpremature sending of an e-mail depending on where the cursor is locatedat the time of the inadvertent tap input event.

In one embodiment, motion sensitive input control can prevent unintendedinput by disregarding an input event if a change in motion of thecomputing device is detected simultaneously with or immediately prior tothe detected input event. In another embodiment, motion sensitive inputcontrol can prevent unintended input by reducing the sensitivity of aninput device during a motion-based state associated with the computingdevice. In this manner, the likelihood of inadvertent motion of acomputing device causing an unintended input event can be reduced.

A motion-based state, for example, can be determined based on aparticular type of network connection (e.g., if the computing deviceconnects to a particular type of network during a period of movement,such as traveling on public transportation), when the computing deviceis operating (e.g., if the computing device is associated with movementduring particular time periods) and where the computing device isoperating (e.g., if global positioning system capability and/or a cameraindicate that the computing device is moving or not at a home orbusiness location).

The sensitivity of the input device can be reduced in a variety of ways.For example, in one embodiment, an input event threshold associated withthe magnitude of a detected measure of input (e.g., capacitance for acapacitive input device) can be adjusted during a motion-based state. Inanother embodiment, a threshold associated with how long an input mustbe recognized in order for the input to be recognized as an input eventcan be adjusted during a motion-based state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computing device with motion sensitiveinput control according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary process in which a computing device candetermine whether to disregard or process an input event according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary process in which a computing device candetermine whether to reduce the sensitivity of an input device accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary graphs through which a reduction insensitivity of an input device is depicted by increasing an input eventthreshold during a motion-based state according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary graphs through which a reduction insensitivity of an input device is depicted by increasing the timerequired to recognize an input event during a motion-based stateaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary computing device architecture accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary computing device including a multi-touchsensor panel according to an embodiment of the disclosure

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary mobile telephone providing motionsensitive input control according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary media player providing motion sensitiveinput control according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description of preferred embodiments, reference is madeto the accompanying drawings where it is shown by way of illustrationspecific embodiments in which the disclosure can be practiced. It is tobe understood that other embodiments can be used and structural changescan be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments of thisdisclosure.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to preventing unintended inputcaused by inadvertent movement of a computing device. In one embodiment,unintended input can be prevented by disregarding an input event if achange in motion of the computing device is detected simultaneously withor immediately prior to the detected input event. In another embodiment,unintended input can be prevented by reducing the sensitivity of aninput device during a motion-based state associated with the computingdevice. In this manner, the likelihood of inadvertent motion of acomputing device causing an unintended input event can be reduced.

Although some embodiments of this disclosure may be described andillustrated herein in terms of a portable computing device such as alaptop, it should be understood that embodiments of this disclosure arenot so limited, but are generally applicable to any device, system orplatform, configured for receiving input and that can be operated in anenvironment susceptible to movement. Further, although some embodimentsof this disclosure may describe and illustrate a tap on a capacitivetrackpad as a representative type of unintended input and input device,respectively, it should be understood that embodiments of thisdisclosure are not so limited, but are generally applicable to any typeof input event and input device.

FIG. 1 illustrates computing device 100 configured with motion sensitiveinput control. As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1, computingdevice 100 can include display 110 and input area 120. Input area 120can include a touch sensitive surface of an input device, such as atrackpad, associated with computing device 100. Computing device 100 canalso include one or more motion sensors (not shown) inside its housing.

Computing device 100 can be configured to prevent unintended input ininput area 120 caused by inadvertent movement of computing device 100.For example, if a user operates computing device 100 on publictransportation and the user's finger hovers over input area 120 during abump in the ride, the bump can cause the finger to inadvertently tapinput area 120. If computing device 100 is configured, for example, toimplement a click action when a tap input event is detected on inputarea 120, the inadvertent tap can result in an unintentional click inthe user interface of computing device 100. This can lead to undesirableuser interface behavior, such as, for example, the deletion or prematuresending of an e-mail depending on where the cursor is located at thetime of the inadvertent tap input event.

In one embodiment, unintended input can be prevented by disregarding aninput event if a change in motion of the computing device is detectedsimultaneously with or immediately prior to the detected input event(e.g., a predetermined number of milliseconds). For example, asillustrated in FIG. 2, computing device 100 can include input device210, processor 200 and motion sensor 220. Input device 210 can beconfigured to output (block 230) a signal to processor 200 when an inputevent is detected. Similarly, motion sensor 220 can be configured tooutput (block 240) a signal to processor 200 when a change in motion isdetected. When processor 200 receives output from both input device 210and motion sensor 220, processor 200 can determine (block 250) whetherthe change in motion occurred simultaneously with or immediately priorto the input event. If processor 200 determines that the change inmotion occurred simultaneously with or immediately prior to the inputevent, processor 200 can disregard (block 260) the input event. Incontrast, if processor 200 determines that the change in motion did notoccur simultaneously with or immediately prior to the input event,processor 200 can process (block 270) the input event.

Any suitable input event can be detected by input device 210 forconsideration by processor 200 in block 250, such as a touch event orgesture for example. A “touch event” can refer to an event other than amere touching of input device 210. Rather, a touch event can be one ofseveral types of touch events, including, for example, a “touch begin”event (e.g., initial touch is detected), a “touch move” event (e.g.,after initial touch is detected, the coordinates of the touch change),and a “touch end” event (e.g., after initial touch is detected, thetouch is no longer detected). A gesture can be based on a series oftouch events—e.g., touch down+multiple touch moved+touch upevents—and/or some other type of input event or events (e.g., press,hold, etc.) that can be captured by input device 210 and used byprocessor 200 to implement a function of computing device 100.

Any suitable type of motion change can be detected by motion sensor 220for consideration by processor 200 in block 250. For example, in oneembodiment, any detected change in motion above a specified thresholdcan be considered by processor 200 as potentially causing an unintendedinput event. In another embodiment, only a spike in the output frommotion sensor 220 can be considered by processor 200 as potentiallycausing an unintended input event, since a spike in the output canindicate a particular type of motion akin to an inadvertent jostling ofcomputing device 100.

Further, any suitable type of motion sensor can be utilized inaccordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. For example, adedicated one-dimensional motion sensor can be utilized in an embodimentin which inadvertent motion of computing device 100 in only onedirection is likely to cause an unintended input to be prevented (e.g.,preventing a laptop trackpad from bouncing up into a finger due toinadvertent motion, causing a false tap input event). A dedicatedtwo-dimensional motion sensor can be utilized in an embodiment in whichinadvertent motion of computing device 100 in either or both of twodirections is likely to cause an unintended input to be prevented (e.g.,preventing a laptop trackpad from lateral movement due to inadvertentmotion when a finger is already touching the trackpad, causing a falsegesture or tracking input event). And a dedicated three-dimensionalmotion sensor can be utilized in an embodiment in which inadvertentmotion of computing device 100 in any direction is likely to cause anunintended input to be prevented (e.g., preventing an input device suchas a trackball from inadvertent contact in any direction with a finger,causing a false trackball movement input event). In another embodiment,computing device 100 can utilize a three-dimensional motion sensor inaccordance with the teachings of the present disclosure and for otherpurposes, such as detecting when computing device 100 is falling inorder to park its hard drive and take any other preventive action.

In another embodiment, unintended input can be prevented by reducing thesensitivity of an input device during a motion-based state associatedwith the computing device. In this manner, the likelihood of inadvertentmotion of a computing device causing an unintended input event can bereduced. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, processor 200 can detectwhether a state of computing device 100 associated with motion (block300) exists. If a state of computing device 100 associated with motionis detected, processor 200 can reduce (block 310) a sensitivity of inputdevice 210 during the detected state. When the detected state is nolonger detected (block 320), processor 200 can restore (block 330) thesensitivity of input device 210 to its previous level.

States of computing device 100 that can be associated with motion can bewidely varied. In one embodiment, a motion-based state can be determinedbased on a network connection state associated computing device 100. Forexample, if a user connects to a particular type of network during acommute on public transportation, processor 200 can utilize the networkconnection state to determine that a reduced sensitivity is required forinput device 210 while that particular network connection is maintained.In another embodiment, a motion-based state can be determined based onwhen computing device 100 is operating. For example, if a user ofcomputing device 100 tends to commute on public transportation atsimilar time periods during the week, processor 200 can utilize currenttime information to determine that a reduced sensitivity is required forinput device 210 during those time periods. Similarly, a motion-basedstate can be determined based on where computing device 100 isoperating. For example, if computing device 100 has global positioningsystem (“GPS”) capability and/or a camera, processor 200 can utilize GPSinformation and/or camera output to determine whether computing device100 is stationary or at home or a business location. If processor 200determines that computing device 100 is moving or not at home or abusiness location, processor 200 can utilize the location information todetermine that a reduced sensitivity is required for input device 210while computing device 100 is moving or away from home or a businesslocation. Other information can also be used to determine whethercomputing device 100 is associated with a motion-based state, such asinformation resulting from an analysis of output from motion sensor 660over time for example.

The manner in which the sensitivity of input device 210 can be reducedcan be widely varied. For example, in one embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 4, an input event threshold associated with the magnitude of adetected measure of an input can be adjusted during a motion-basedstate. In FIG. 4, graph 400 depicts a plot of a detected measure (e.g.,capacitance for a capacitive input device) of input 403 and input 407,and graph 410 depicts whether a motion-based state of computing device100 corresponds to the detection of input 403 and input 407. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, an input event can be recognized based on input403 since the detected measure associated with input 403 exceeds inputevent threshold 405 during a non motion-based state of computing device100. However, during a motion-based state input event threshold 405 canbe increased, such that an additional amount of the detected measure isrequired in order to compensate for unintended inputs to input area 120.Accordingly, during a motion-based state, an input event can berecognized based on input 407, which exceeds input event threshold 405,but an input event cannot be recognized based on an input similar toinput 403, which does not exceed input event threshold 405 in view ofthe increased input event threshold.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a threshold associatedwith how long an input must be recognized in order for the input to berecognized as an input event can be adjusted during a motion-basedstate. In FIG. 5, graph 500 depicts a plot of a detected measure (e.g.,capacitance for a capacitive input device) of input 503 and input 507,and graph 510 depicts whether a motion-based state of computing device100 corresponds to the detection of input 503 and input 507. In theillustrated embodiment, during a non motion-based state, an input can berequired to exceed input event threshold 505 for a threshold of 3 framesin order to be recognized as an input event, whereas, during amotion-based state, an input can be required to exceed input eventthreshold 505 for a threshold of 6 frames in order to be recognized asan input event. As illustrated in FIG. 5, an input event can berecognized based on input 503 since the detected measure associated withinput 503 exceeds input event threshold 505 for at least 3 frames duringa non motion-based state of computing device 100. However, during amotion-based state the time-based threshold can be increased, such thatthe detected measure is required to exceed input event threshold 505 foran additional amount of time (e.g., for 3 additional frames) in order tocompensate for unintended inputs to input area 120. Accordingly, duringa motion-based state, an input event can be recognized based on input507, which exceeds input event threshold 505 for at least 6 frames, butan input event cannot be recognized based on an input similar to input503, which does not exceed input event threshold 505 for at least 6frames in view of the increased time-based threshold.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary architecture of computing device 100. Inparticular, computing device 100 can include input device 210, display620, I/O processor 630, processor (CPU) 200 and memory/storage 650.Programming for processing input as described above may be stored inmemory/storage 650 of computing device 100, which may include solidstate memory (RAM, ROM, etc.), hard drive memory, and/or other suitablememory or storage. CPU 200 may retrieve and execute the programming toprocess output signals received from input device 210 and motion sensor660 as described above. Through the programming, CPU 200 can alsoperform actions based on output signals from input device 210 that caninclude, but are not limited to, moving an object such as a cursor orpointer, scrolling or panning, adjusting control settings, opening afile or document, viewing a menu, making a selection, executinginstructions, operating a peripheral device coupled to the host device,answering a telephone call, placing a telephone call, terminating atelephone call, receiving a text message, sending a text message,changing the volume or audio settings, storing information related totelephone communications such as addresses, frequently dialed numbers,received calls, missed calls, logging onto a computer or a computernetwork, permitting authorized individuals access to restricted areas ofthe computer or computer network, loading a user profile associated witha user's preferred arrangement of the computer desktop, permittingaccess to web content, launching a particular program, encrypting ordecoding a message, and/or the like. CPU 200 can also perform additionalfunctions that may not be related to input device processing, and can becoupled to memory/storage 650 and display 620, which may include aliquid crystal display (LCD) for example, for providing a user interface(UI) to a user of the device.

Note that one or more of the functions described above can be performedby firmware stored in a memory (not shown) associated with I/O processor630 and executed by I/O processor 630, and/or stored in memory/storage650 and executed by CPU 200. The firmware can also be stored and/ortransported within any computer-readable storage medium for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device,such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or othersystem that can fetch the instructions from the instruction executionsystem, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In thecontext of this document, a “computer-readable storage medium” can beany medium that can contain or store a program for use by or inconnection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.The computer readable storage medium can include, but is not limited to,an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system, apparatus or device, a portable computer diskette(magnetic), a random access memory (RAM) (magnetic), a read-only memory(ROM) (magnetic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM)(magnetic), a portable optical disc such a CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R,or DVD-RW, or flash memory such as compact flash cards, secured digitalcards, USB memory devices, memory sticks, and the like.

The firmware can also be propagated within any transport medium for useby or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, orother system that can fetch the instructions from the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. Inthe context of this document, a “transport medium” can be any mediumthat can communicate, propagate or transport the program for use by orin connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice. The transport readable medium can include, but is not limitedto, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic or infrared wiredor wireless propagation medium.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary multi-touch sensor panel that can beassociated with computing device 100. Computing system 100 can includeone or more panel processors 702 and peripherals 704, and panelsubsystem 706 associated with a touch sensitive surface associated withinput device 210 as described above. Peripherals 704 can include, butare not limited to, random access memory (RAM) or other types of memoryor storage, watchdog timers and the like. Panel subsystem 706 caninclude, but is not limited to, one or more sense channels 708, channelscan logic 710 and driver logic 714. Channel scan logic 710 can accessRAM 712, autonomously read data from the sense channels and providecontrol for the sense channels. In addition, channel scan logic 710 cancontrol driver logic 714 to generate stimulation signals 716 at variousfrequencies and phases that can be selectively applied to drive lines oftouch sensor panel 724. In some embodiments, panel subsystem 706, panelprocessor 702 and peripherals 704 can be integrated into a singleapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Touch sensor panel 724 can include a capacitive sensing medium having aplurality of drive lines and a plurality of sense lines, although othersensing media can also be used. Each intersection of drive and senselines can represent a capacitive sensing node and can be viewed aspicture element (pixel) 726, which can be particularly useful when touchsensor panel 724 is viewed as capturing an “image” of touch. In otherwords, after panel subsystem 706 has determined whether a touch eventhas been detected at each touch sensor in the touch sensor panel, thepattern of touch sensors in the multi-touch panel at which a touch eventoccurred can be viewed as an “image” of touch (e.g., a pattern offingers touching the panel). Each sense line of touch sensor panel 724can drive sense channel 708 in panel subsystem 706. The touch sensorpanel can be used in combination with motion sensor 660 to providemotion sensitive input control in accordance with the teachings asdisclosed above.

Computing device 100 can be any of a variety of types, such as thoseillustrated in FIGS. 1, 8 and 9 for example. FIG. 1 illustratesexemplary computing device 100 in the form of a laptop with display 110and input area 120. The input device associated with input area 120 canbe configured to provide motion sensitive input control in accordancewith the teachings as disclosed above. FIG. 8 illustrates exemplarymobile telephone 800 with display device 810 and input areas 820 and830. Either input area 820 or 830, or both, can be configured to providemotion sensitive input control in accordance with the teachings asdisclosed above. FIG. 9 illustrates exemplary media player 900 withdisplay device 910 and input areas 920 and 930. Either input areas 920or 930, or both, can be configured to provide motion sensitive inputcontrol in accordance with the teachings as disclosed above.Additionally, computing device 100 may be a combination of these types.For example, in one embodiment computing device 100 may be a device thatcombines functionality of mobile telephone 800 and media player 900.Motion sensitive input controls can enable the computing devices ofFIGS. 1, 8 and 9 to be configured such that the likelihood ofinadvertent motion of the computing device causing an unintended inputevent can be reduced.

It will be appreciated that the above description for clarity hasdescribed embodiments of the disclosure with reference to differentfunctional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that anysuitable distribution of functionality between different functionalunits or processors may be used without detracting from the disclosure.For example, functionality illustrated to be performed by separateprocessors or controllers may be performed by the same processors orcontrollers. Hence, references to specific functional units may be seenas references to suitable means for providing the describedfunctionality rather than indicative of a strict logical or physicalstructure or organization.

The disclosure may be implemented in any suitable form, includinghardware, software, firmware, or any combination of these. Thedisclosure may optionally be implemented partly as computer softwarerunning on one or more data processors and/or digital signal processors.The elements and components of an embodiment of the disclosure may bephysically, functionally, and logically implemented in any suitable way.Indeed, the functionality may be implemented in a single unit, in aplurality of units, or as part of other functional units. As such, thedisclosure may be implemented in a single unit or may be physically andfunctionally distributed between different units and processors.

One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many possiblemodifications and combinations of the disclosed embodiments can be used,while still employing the same basic underlying mechanisms andmethodologies. The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation,has been written with references to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations can be possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments were chosen and described to explain the principles of thedisclosure and their practical applications, and to enable othersskilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure and variousembodiments with various modifications as suited to the particular usecontemplated.

Further, while this specification contains many specifics, these shouldnot be construed as limitations on the scope of what is being claimed orof what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specificto particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in thisspecification in the context of separate embodiments can also beimplemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures that are described in the context of a single embodiment canalso be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in anysuitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be describedabove as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed assuch, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some casesbe excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may bedirected to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computing device comprising: an input deviceconfigured to detect an input event applied to an input area of thecomputing device, and a processor configured to detect a state of thecomputing device associated with motion; and at least partially reduce asensitivity to touch of the input device during the detected state bychanging a magnitude threshold for detecting the input event or changinga time threshold for detecting the input event.
 2. The computing deviceof claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to at least partiallyreduce the sensitivity to touch of the input device during the detectedstate by changing the magnitude threshold for detecting the input event.3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configuredto at least partially reduce the sensitivity to touch of the inputdevice during the detected state by changing the time threshold fordetecting the input event.
 4. The computing device of claim 1, whereinthe computing device further comprises a camera, and the processor isconfigured to detect the state associated with motion based on outputfrom the camera.
 5. The computing device of claim 1, wherein thecomputing device comprises a mobile telephone.
 6. The computing deviceof claim 1, wherein the computing device comprises a media player.
 7. Amethod comprising: detecting a state of a computing device associatedwith motion, the state indicating an increased possibility of unintendedinput events being received by the input device; reducing a sensitivityto touch of an input device associated with the computing device duringthe detected state by changing a threshold associated with a magnitudeof a detected measure of an input that determines whether the input canbe recognized as an input event or by changing a threshold associatedwith how long the input must be recognized in order for the input to berecognized as the input event; monitoring the computing device todetermine if the previously detected state of the computing deviceassociated with motion persists; and restoring the sensitivity to touchof the computing device once it is determined that the detected state ofthe computing device associated with motion has ended.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, comprising reducing the sensitivity to touch of the inputdevice by changing the threshold associated with a magnitude of adetected measure of the input that determines whether the input can berecognized as an input event.
 9. The method of claim 7, comprisingreducing the sensitivity to touch of the input device by changing thethreshold associated with how long an input must be recognized in orderfor the input to be recognized as the input event.
 10. A laptopcomputing device comprising: a capacitive trackpad configured to detecta tap applied to the trackpad; and a processor configured to detect astate of the computing device associated with motion, the stateindicating an increased possibility of unintended input events beingreceived by the input device, partially reduce a sensitivity of thecapacitive trackpad to taps during the detected state by changing athreshold associated with how hard an object must tap the trackpad totrigger a tap input event; monitor the computing device to determine ifthe previously detected state of the computing device associated withmotion persists; and restore the sensitivity to touch of the computingdevice once it is determined that the detected state of the computingdevice associated with motion has ended.
 11. The laptop computing deviceof claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to reduce thesensitivity of the capacitive trackpad by increasing the thresholdassociated with how hard an object must tap the trackpad to trigger thetap input event.
 12. A computing device comprising: an input deviceconfigured to detect an input event applied to an input area of thecomputing device; and a processor configured to detect a state of thecomputing device associated with motion, reduce a sensitivity to touchof the input device during the detected state by changing a magnitudethreshold for detecting the input event or changing a time threshold fordetecting the input event; monitor the computing device to determine ifthe previously detected state of the computing device associated withmotion persists; and restore the sensitivity to touch of the computingdevice once it is determined that the detected state of the computingdevice associated with motion has ended.
 13. The computing device ofclaim 12, wherein the processor is configured to detect the stateassociated with motion which corresponds to an increased likelihood ofinadvertent motion of the computing device.
 14. The computing device ofclaim 12, wherein the processor is configured to reduce the sensitivityto touch by changing the magnitude threshold for detecting the inputevent.
 15. The computing device of claim 14, wherein changing themagnitude threshold comprises increasing the magnitude threshold. 16.The computing device of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured toreduce the sensitivity to touch by changing a time threshold fordetecting the input event.
 17. The computing device of claim 16, whereinchanging the time threshold comprises increasing the time threshold. 18.A laptop computing device comprising: a capacitive trackpad configuredto detect a tap applied to the trackpad; and a processor configured todetect a state of the computing device associated with motion, the stateindicating an increased possibility of unintended input events beingreceived by the input device, change a sensitivity of the capacitivetrackpad to taps during the detected state by changing a thresholdassociated with how hard an object must tap the trackpad to trigger atap input event; monitor the computing device to determine if thepreviously detected state of the computing device associated with motionpersists; and restore the sensitivity to touch of the computing deviceonce it is determined that the detected state of the computing deviceassociated with motion has ended.
 19. The laptop computing device ofclaim 18, wherein the processor is configured to change the sensitivityof the capacitive trackpad by reducing the sensitivity of the capacitivetrackpad by increasing a threshold associated with how hard an objectmust tap the trackpad to trigger a tap input event.